The Expression of Adhesion Molecules in Experimental Allergic and Chemical Conjunctivitis

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study was to assess the expression of ICAM-1, VCAM-1 and PECAM-1 in allergic and chemical conjunctivitis. The allergic and chemical conjunctivitis were induced in C57BL/6 mouse by compound 48/80(C48/80) and 2% characterized clinically by blepharospasm 100%, chemosis 80%, injection AgNO3, respectively. The allergic conjunctivitis was characterized clinically by blepharospasm 100%, chemosis 80%, injection, 40%, mucous discharge 20%, but the chemical conjunctivitis by blepharospasm 80%, chemosis 60%, infection 40% and no mucous discharge at 30 minute after topical application. On the endothelial cells, ICAM-1 was expressed from 1 to 48 hours, VCAM-1 from 6 to 72 hours and PECAM-1 from 1 to 72 hours in allergic conjunctivitis. In chemical conjuctivitis, the expression of ICAM-1 was observed from 6 to 72 hours. The expression of VCAM-1 was observed from 24 and 72 hours. The expression of PECAM-1 was demonstrated from 6 to 72 hours. The expression of cell adhesion molecules, particulary VCAM-1 and PECAM-1, was slighter in chemical conjunctivitis compared to allergic conjunctivitis. In conclusion, experimental allergic and chemical conjunctivitis demonstrate that cell adhesion molecules play a role in part in ocular inflammation and that there are differences between the adhesion molecule expression of two types of confunctivitis.